12/6/2012 - Volunteer drivers needed

An appeal is being made for new volunteer drivers to help keep a Children’s Services transport scheme on the road.

Cumbria County Council enlists the support of volunteers to help drive children and young people involved with Children’s Services to a variety of appointments such as contact visits, counselling sessions, or respite care.

Volunteers are required throughout the county but particularly in Allerdale and Copeland where taxi firms are currently being used to carry out the service.

An allowance of 45p per mile is paid to volunteer drivers, who must complete a CRB check and provide two references before taking on the role.

Councillor Anne Burns, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member for children’s social care, said "It’s a really valuable service and would suit anyone with time on their hands who is reliable, conscientious and gets on well with children.

"Our drivers have tended to be retired people but the role could suit any age group and the work can be very rewarding.

"There’s no regular pattern to when drivers might be needed, so people would need to be fairly flexible in the times they might be available.”

As the service is provided across the county, volunteer drivers tend to be used in their local areas.

Anybody interested in becoming a volunteer driver or wanting further details should contact:

Carlisle and Eden: 01228 227060 Gail Hayward

Barrow: 01229 407494 Anne Burrows

South Lakeland: 01539 713 197 Christine Kendal

Allerdale and Copeland: 01946 506358 Diane Robson

Media enquiries to communications adviser John Ballard on 01228 221752